Stadium Emptied Quicker Than a Dodger Game

Bill Campbell in the Dallas Morning News: “If you thought baseball umps had a quick thumb, officials ejected all 50,000 fans Saturday at the Asian Test Championship of cricket between Pakistan and India.

“Seems the home fans got unruly when it became apparent that defeat was inevitable. They tossed whatever they found nearby--rocks, glass and fruit, according to reports.

“Pakistan won the match before a silent--and empty--house.”

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Trivia time: How many seasons did Kareem Abdul-Jabbar lead the NBA in scoring?

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Bruin booster: Tampa Bay Buccaneer Coach Tony Dungy said Sunday at the NFL scouting combine that he’s sold on UCLA’s Cade McNown, the left-handed quarterback considered by some to lack a big league throwing arm.

When asked if McNown would still be on the board when Tampa Bay picked 15th overall, Dungy said, “I hope so. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he is not. . . . I’d like to have a chance at him.”

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Mr. Gimmick: Mike Veeck, Tampa Bay Devil Ray executive, has scheduled the following promotions:

A Labor Day special that will include free admission for pregnant women; “Twins Night” will honor sets of twins; and “Turn Back the Clock Day” will feature the visiting New York Mets in their vintage uniforms while the Devil Rays pay homage to the Tampa Tarpons, a former minor league team.

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Rub-a-dub-dub: Following the lead of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who have a swimming pool at Bank One Ballpark, Tampa Bay plans to install a hot tub this season for “the Beach” outfield seating area at Tropicana Field.

For $350, as many as 10 people can get tickets, beach towels, frozen drinks and waitress service to their bubbling vantage point.

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Road tough: Miami recently became the first NBA team to win games on three consecutive days since 1985, when it was accomplished by the Lakers. Those Lakers were coached by Pat Riley. So is the Heat.

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Too easy: Captain Tom Fitzgerald of the Nashville Predators was miffed at his teammates recently after Wayne Gretzky torched them with five assists in a 6-4 victory.

Observed Fitzgerald, “He can set my 4-year-old son up to score if you leave him alone.”

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What, no beer? Phil Collier in the San Diego Union-Tribune:

“What does a team take to spring training? The Phillies took 600 towels, 9,000 baseballs, 1,200 bats, 30 rosin bags, 150 belts, 10,000 drinking cups and 15 cases of chewing gum.”

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Over-clubbing: A Florida man was sentenced to four years in prison for hitting another man with a five-iron in a convenience store parking lot.

“What a terrible thing to do,” comedy writer Jerry Perisho said. “Everyone knows you use a seven-iron or higher when you’re off the fairway.”

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Is he worth it? The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that Dodger pitcher Kevin Brown, earning $15 million this season, will make nearly five times as much as the entire Twins’ starting rotation.

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FYI: Dennis Rodman brings a 13.2 rebounding average to the Lakers. That won’t make him the best non-center rebounder in Laker history.

That distinction belongs to Elgin Baylor, whose rebounding average for the Lakers was 13.5, including his last two seasons, 1970-71, when he was injured and played only two games, and 1971-72, when he played only nine games before retiring.

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Trivia answer: Twice, when he was with the Milwaukee Bucks.

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And finally: When a departing Damon Stoudamire blamed former Toronto Raptor owner Allan Slaight for his leaving, Slaight said, “He’s a pathetic little twerp who happens to be a good basketball player.”